Friday, May 1, 2026
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Ages 14+
$20 per participant, registration required!
This two-hour workshop introduces participants to intaglio printmaking using recycled Tetrapak cartons as printing plates. The workshop will cover basic intaglio techniques, including inking, wiping, and printing the plate using an etching press to produce rich, textured prints.
Participants will learn how to create textures and imagery by cutting, peeling, and incising the Tetrapak surface to create a printing plate.
Space is limited, and registration is required. Click here to register!
Saturday, May 2, 2026
10:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.
All ages welcome
Free, registration not required.
Join us for First Saturday Cart Talks at the HDNM! Visitors will enjoy a hands-on experience while learning about local desert animals.
Explore how skull shapes reveal what animals eat and feel the textures of different furs while learning about the wildlife that lives in our region.
Perfect for curious minds of all ages, Stop by, ask questions, and discover the stories these natural treasures tell!
Saturday, May 9, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
$20 per person, Ages 10+
Registration required, space is limited.
This hands-on workshop, led by Dr. Julie Reints, introduces participants to the basics of creating natural insect repellents using plant-based ingredients and essential oils.
Participants will learn about common insects, why certain plants repel them, and how natural compounds can be used as safer alternatives to conventional chemical repellents.
Participants will leave with their own 3oz spray and 3oz balm.
Space is limited, and registration is required. Click here to register!
Saturday, May 23, 2026
All ages welcome!
Head to the HDNM for the opening of the 2026 youth summer exhibit, Turtle Travels!
Step onto the giant game board, grab a tortoise game piece, and give the spinner a whirl to begin your turtle journey. Before you reach the finish line, visit each interactive station to learn about how to protect turtles from the hazards they face. Find out what it’s like for a turtle trying to cross a road or traverse changing habitats. Be a turtle tracker and see how real field biologists track animals in the wild. Trek along this turtle terrain and you’ll find out that slow and steady not only wins the race, but takes turtles on some amazing journeys!
Turtle Travels was developed by the Environmental Exhibit Collaborative (EEC) and funded by Jane’s Trust and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and produced by Ecotarium (Worcester, MA) in partnership with the Sciencenter (Ithaca, NY).
Image Artwork: Nature’s Windmill Mandala by Julia Briest
Wondrous Waste showcases innovative works created from recycled, reused, and/or repurposed materials. Open to artists of all ages, the exhibition features a wide range of mediums, including sculpture, painting, mixed media, fashion, and installation art. Each piece demonstrates how discarded objects can be transformed into thoughtful, visually striking works, highlighting both creativity and environmental responsibility.
By bringing together emerging youth artists and experienced professionals, Wondrous Waste celebrates diverse perspectives and encourages sustainable thinking through art. Visitors are invited to explore how imagination can give new life to everyday materials while considering the impact of recycling in their own lives.
Step onto the giant game board, grab a tortoise game piece, and give the spinner a whirl to begin your turtle journey. Before you reach the finish line, visit each interactive station to learn about how to protect turtles from the hazards they face. Find out what it’s like for a turtle trying to cross a road or traverse changing habitats. Be a turtle tracker and see how real field biologists track animals in the wild. Trek along this turtle terrain and you’ll find out that slow and steady not only wins the race, but takes turtles on some amazing journeys!
Click here to learn more about this incredible hands-on exhibit!
Turtle Travels was developed by the Environmental Exhibit Collaborative (EEC) and funded by Jane’s Trust and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and produced by Ecotarium (Worcester, MA) in partnership with the Sciencenter (Ithaca, NY).
Our Giant Rock: A Community Touchstone in the Mojave,was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Would you like to make a donation? Museum staff are happy to accept your donation in person or you can click the link below to be taken the Recreation Management portal to complete an online donation. Simply click on the green Museum tab, then Museum Sponsorship, and select your donation level. Your donations help fund children’s education programming, animal caretaking, exhibit maintenance, and so much more! Thank you for your kind donation!
Wed – Sat: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Closed Federal Holidays
© 2025 Hi-Desert Nature Museum is administered by the Town of Yucca Valley.
Member of American Association of Museums, Western Museum Association and California Museum Association